What are modernism and postmodernism features ? What are the differences between modernism and postmodernism? Here, modernism vs postmodernism!

The concepts of modernism and postmodernism, which are often used together, actually express two different views that advocate diametrically opposite thoughts. Before giving information about the differences between modernism and postmodernism, which are the movements that left their mark on the 19th and 20th centuries, we briefly answered the question ‘what is modernism and postmodernism‘. Good reading…

Modernism vs Postmodernism

What is Modernism?

Modernism vs Postmodernism - What is Modernism?

The origin of the word modernism, which emerged in the mid-19th century, is based on the Latin word “modernus”. The concept of modern, which is used as a word meaning “new and current”, is a continuation of the Renaissance enlightenment period, which was formed on the basis of humanism. In essence, it expresses the modern lifestyle and cultural development. He harshly criticizes concepts such as morality, law, philosophy, religion and history on the axis of cause and effect relationship.

In more detail, the foundation of the idea of modernism dates back to the 18th century. We can say that Immanuel Kant, who started his studies on philosophy under the influence of David Hume and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, is the father of the ideas that led to the emergence of modernism.

By clicking on the link below, you can find answers to the questions; ‘What is modernism’, ‘Why and how did modernism arise’, ‘What are the characteristics of modernism’ and ‘Who are the representatives of modernism’:

What is Postmodernism?

Modernism vs Postmodernism - What is Postmodernism?

“Post” is a prefix that gives the meaning “after” to the word to which it is added. In this context, simply; postmodernism means the period in which the problems that come after modernism, continue from modernism or more comprehensively originate from modernism are tried to be overcome. In the middle of the 20th century, the postmodernism movement that started to emerge after the Second World War; He harshly criticized modernism, being influential in architecture, painting, philosophy, literature and many more.

In parallel with technological innovations and the development of industry, the modernism movement has begun to degenerate and has turned into a phenomenon that exploits more people instead of a human-oriented philosophy. It is precisely on this basis that the opposition to modernism has created a much stronger ground for itself with the liberation process of Algeria following the Second World War and the Paris student uprisings.

By clicking on the link below, you can find answers to the questions; ‘What is postmodernism’, ‘Why and how did postmodernism arise’, ‘What are the characteristics of postmodernism’ and ‘Who are the representatives of postmodernism’:

Differences Between Modernism and Postmodernism

Differences Between Modernism and Postmodernism

The differences between modernism and postmodernism that marked the 19th and 20th centuries are as follows. Here, modernism vs postmodernism!

  • When the periods in which they emerged are examined, the modernism movement began to be seen in the middle of the 19th century. Postmodernism, on the other hand, started to sprout after the Second World War and generally managed to reach large masses in the second half of the 20th century.
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  • In the philosophy of modernism, which emerged with the thesis of “being human-oriented”; Concepts such as rationalism, capitalism and positivism are defended. Postmodernist thought, which thinks that all these concepts have begun to harm people over time, is positioned exactly opposite the aforementioned concepts.
  • Modernism has followed a synthesis-oriented approach based on reason and science. Postmodernism, on the other hand, cannot be integrated, but has an approach that focuses on attachable pieces and eclecticism.
  • Modernism, which started to be shaped by the thought of enlightenment after the Renaissance, is extremely questioning against the concept of religion. Postmodernism, on the other hand, preferred to establish a closer relationship with the past and approached the concept of religion more positively.
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  • Modernism defends general acceptances in parallel with the philosophy of universal integrity it has adopted. In postmodernism, generalization is rejected and pluralism is supported.
  • In the early days of modernism, everyone adopted; Concepts such as democracy, secularism, technology and human rights came to the fore and became the most important facts of the movement. Postmodernism, on the other hand, claims that all these concepts are misoperated over time, bring more harm than good and enslave people.
  • Modernism basically focuses on a single attainable truth and a single meaning. Postmodernism, on the other hand, follows the philosophy of multiple truths and multiple meanings instead of a single concept.
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  • Due to the conditions and perspectives of the period, the modernists showed an approach away from politics. Postmodernists, on the other hand, could not remain indifferent to the politics that spread to the masses in parallel with the period and the developing world. Postmodernists have been more involved in politics than modernists.
  • In general, modernism has felt its influence in various fields such as philosophy, painting, music, literature and architecture. Postmodernism, on the other hand, showed a much wider range of effects. To give an example, postmodernism has dealt with many different disciplines, from architecture to zoology. Similarly; It has also shown its influence in the fields of history, law, literature, biology, geography, all branches of art, medicine, politics and philosophy.

To learn the equivalent of modernism and postmodernism in architecture, you can read our articles on Modern Architecture and Postmodern Architecture.

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  • It is thought that the concepts of ethics and morality in modernism should be the same for the whole world. Postmodernism, on the other hand, follows an opposing attitude to common concepts. Pluralism is preferred in every sense.
  • Modernism advocates a national and universal understanding of culture. Postmodernism, on the other hand, has the opposite point of view.
  • Modernism’s view of the past is shallower. In postmodernism, the past is important and the idea of keeping the past alive in line with its own realities is advocated.
Modernism vs Postmodernism

These two thought structures, the foundations of which were laid by great philosophers, have evolved over time and have survived to the present day as currents that still maintain their influence. On the one hand, the famous German philosopher Immanuel Kant, who inspired the idea of modernism; On the other hand, the famous German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, one of the thinkers who ignited the idea of postmodernism.

Today, many thinkers such as Habermas and Anthony Giddens argue that modernism has not ended. These thinkers, who accept many ideas of postmodernism, define these new realities as phenomena within modernism.

In this article, we gave general information about ‘Differences Between Modernism and Postmodernism‘ and ‘Modernism vs Postmodernism‘. For more detailed information about these two important movements of the 19th and 20th centuries, we recommend you to read our articles on ‘Postmodernism Definition‘ and ‘Modernism Definition‘.

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